After 32 Years at US Steel—How One Layoff Created a Serial Entrepreneur

Dec 3

DECEMBER 03, 2025 | 00:39 | Episode 98

Richard Sides, Founder and CEO

Richard Sides is Founder and CEO of Adroit North America and Adroit Hardware Solutions. Adroit North America was recently named to the Inc5000 at #1026 representing annual growth in excess of 40%. Rich is a driven entrepreneur that has founded and exited multiple ventures, some more successful than others including lawn care, systems consulting, an E-Commerce based chocolate truffles business, foreign language translations, supply chain software, ERP systems reseller, and plant floor computing hardware and integration. He has a passion for the food and beverage industry having started his career at Kraft Foods in 1990 and serving as SVP Of Information Systems at Preferred Meal Systems. He formed a jazz band called Blue Orbit Combo in 2019 that plays regularly through the Chicago area and speaks decent Spanish which he started to learn about 15 years ago.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Intro

Richard Sides’ transformative journey from a timid engineer to a successful entrepreneur underscores a pivotal revelation about career security: corporate loyalty is an illusion. This profound realization was catalyzed by witnessing his father’s abrupt termination after three decades at U.S. Steel, an experience that imbued him with a steadfast resolve to forge his own path. Throughout our conversation, Richard recounts his evolution, detailing how he overcame his introversion by immersing himself in consulting, ultimately leading to the establishment of multiple thriving enterprises within the food industry. He elucidates the critical importance of cultivating resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, as well as the necessity of creating one’s own security through skills and relationships. Join us as we delve into Richard’s insights, which illuminate the intricate interplay between personal growth and entrepreneurial success.

Conversation

Richard Sides' journey from a seemingly secure corporate environment to the precarious realm of entrepreneurship unfolds like a compelling narrative, punctuated by significant life events that shaped his perspective on career security. At the tender age of seventeen, Richard witnessed the abrupt termination of his father's three-decade career at US Steel, an event that indelibly altered his understanding of corporate loyalty and job security. This pivotal moment instilled in him a profound conviction to never relinquish control over his professional destiny. As the discussion progresses, we delve into Richard's evolution from a shy, introverted engineer who struggled with interpersonal interactions to a formidable entrepreneur who has successfully launched multiple ventures in the food industry. His decision to pursue consulting as a means of personal growth is a testament to his resolve to confront and overcome his inherent challenges. Through his experiences, Richard elucidates the importance of cultivating skills, fostering relationships, and embracing calculated risks to build one's own security and autonomy in an ever-changing job market.

Takeaways

The notion of corporate loyalty is fundamentally flawed; individuals must cultivate their own security and resilience.
Richard's early experience with his father's sudden job loss profoundly influenced his entrepreneurial journey and career decisions.
To achieve personal growth, one must confront discomfort; Richard's choice to pursue consulting forced him to overcome his introverted tendencies.
Success in entrepreneurship relies on mastering delayed gratification; setting long-term goals allows for sustained effort and achievement.
Building optionality through skills and relationships is critical; do not wait for unforeseen circumstances to compel your growth.
Richard's journey illustrates the importance of navigating failures as learning opportunities, essential for eventual success in business.